Remembering Beth, fighting Alzheimer’s

TUPELO – For Jay VanWinkle, golf is a way to push back against Alzheimer’s Disease which took his wife Beth in 2010.
“She wanted to fight anyway she could,” the Booneville resident said.
They started the Beth VanWinkle Round to Remember at the Natchez Trace Golf Club five years ago when she was still alive to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association.
“If you’re ever going to cure this disease,” VanWinkle said. “You’ve got to have money to do research.”
Beth VanWinkle was diagnosed at the age of 58 and died four years later. The couple worked their way down her bucket list – skydiving, horse riding and traveling while her body and mind were still able.
“As her disease progressed we had to find new ways to do things we’d been doing for years,” VanWinkle said.
The Alzheimer’s Association was very helpful in finding information about the disease and managing it.
The Round to Remember includes lunch and dinner provided by Bishop’s BBQ as well as door prizes and a silent auction.
“People have been so supportive,” VanWinkle said.
In its first four years, the tournament has raised about $15,000.
“That’s a little bit of help,” VanWinkle said.
michaela.morris@journalinc.com